WNBA has reportedly changed policy on national anthem
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have left the court for the national anthem before every game of the WNBA Finals so far, and conservative critics have been demanding that the league do something about it. But it turns out the rule they keep pointing to hasn’t actually been enforced for years. According to…
The WNBA has reportedly altered its policy on the national anthem, according to a recent report. This revelation comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the league's anthem protocols. Several teams, including the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, have been leaving the court before the anthem during the 2026 WNBA Finals.
The rule in question, which requires players, coaches, and trainers to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" during the anthem, was reportedly suspended by the WNBA in 2017. The memo, sent to teams by the league, aimed to allow players to show support for victims following the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the previous summer.
This suspension extended to the 2020 season as well, when the WNBA dedicated its season to Breonna Taylor. While some teams have left the court with about 10 minutes left in warmups, others do so to raise awareness for social justice issues. Notably, the U.S. national team always remains on the floor during the anthem at the Olympics and the World Cup.
The WNBA has not publicly responded to the controversy, and the league appears to defer to its teams on the issue, similar to its handling of other controversies this season.
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